When it comes to weight loss, diet plays a bigger role than you might imagine. Instead of relying on processed low-calorie foods that don’t satisfy your appetite — or taste buds — let these seasonal (delicious) eats support your goals. Load up on these healthy foods the next time you’re at the grocery store or farmers market and start seeing results.
1 Pomegranates
For being so small, pomegranates are surprisingly high in fiber — one of the most important nutrients for sustainable weight loss. Since high-fiber foods keep your body satisfied for longer, you’ll be less likely to overeat if you’re full. Snacking on pomegranate arils on their own is a healthy and refreshing treat, but there are plenty of other tasty recipes starring pomegranates to enjoy.
2 Pears
Offering six grams per medium-sized fruit, pears help you fill up on fiber, preventing a bloated belly and keeping your digestion regular.
3 Cranberries
You might only cook down cranberries for their sticky, sweet sauce at Thanksgiving, but cranberries are a healthy source of ursolic acid, a substance that has been shown to aid in burning fat.
4 Spaghetti Squash
High in antioxidants and low in calories, there’s good reason so many people sing spaghetti squash’s praises when it comes to weight loss. This nutrient-rich squash stands in strong for higher-calorie pasta and noodles, so you can still get the comforting Fall recipes you enjoy like this mac and cheese at the fraction of the calories.
5 Apples
Just one large apple offers 5.5 grams of fiber! Apples are high in pectin — a fiber that’s especially filling, so snack on them all season long for weight-loss success.
6 Sage
Sage is one of those herbs that’s a welcome addition to classic Fall recipes, but luckily it adds more than flavor. Calming and soothing sage has been linked to aid in digestion, so try adding it to supper tonight.
7 Pumpkin
If the only place pumpkin has a place in your diet is its flavor or spice, start enjoying this Fall food while it’s still in season. Each cup of pumpkin offers three grams fiber for less than 50 calories.
8 Cinnamon
Cinnamon’s scent and taste are synonymous with warming Fall recipes, but this spice’s appetite-stabilizing and fat-burning properties make it a must-have addition to your diet. Cinnamon has been shown to help regulate blood-sugar levels, curb cravings, and boost metabolism.
9 Brussels Sprouts
High-fiber brussels sprouts are a nutrient-rich vegetable that make for a delicious and filling side dish. In addition to being a great source fiber, they’re also higher in protein than many other veggies; one cup of sprouts offers three grams.
10 Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes keep you full with their high fiber content, but they also regulate your blood sugar — which can help you fight cravings and shed pounds.
